Kote Obe, Port Harcourt
Residents of Rivers State have praised Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, over launching out against operators of illegal artisanal petroleum refineries in the state.
Some of the residents who spoke with our correspondent, said the action of the governor would not only reduce the toxic pollution of the environment by the illegal refineries but has also shown that the government was not abetting the refiners.
John Ekele, a resident of Eleme, said, “With this new development, we can now breathe in fresh air and have a clean environment. Kudos to Wike.”
Tonye Ogbanga, a resident of Port Harcourt said, “We are happy that at last, the governor is showing concern to this issue that has been causing the soot in Port Harcourt. I hope he sustains the fight because these people will always want to cut corners.”
Rivers State governor had on Sunday evening declared 19 people wanted for operating illegal crude oil refining sites responsible for the black soot pandemic in the State.
The governor had also queried Mr. Temple Amakiri, a Director in the Ministry of Energy, for abetting bunkering activities and directed his arrest, investigation and possible prosecution.
Governor Wike, in a broadcast said the government had resolved to tackle the soot pandemic by destroying and closing down all identified illegal crude oil refining sites and activities in the State.
He disclosed that the State Taskforce on Illegal Street Trading raided some illegal crude oil refining sites in Port Harcourt and arrested a number of culprits.
He said, “Furthermore, the following persons who have been identified as kingpins of bunkering and illegal crude oil refining activities in their communities have been declared wanted and directed to report themselves to the State Police Command, to whom we have already passed their details to:
“Mr. Azubike Amadi, OSPAC Commander, Ogbogoro community and Chairman of Akpor Central OSPAC; Mr. India, of Rumuolumeni community and Chairman of Oil bunkering Association in Akpor kingdom; Mr. Okey who is in charge of Oil bunkering in Rumupareli; Mr. Anderson, who is in charge of oil bunkering activities in Ogbogoro community; Amadi Gift of Ogbogoro community; Azeruowa of Ogbogoro community; and Kingsley Egbula, also of Ogbogoro community.
“Also declared wanted are the following persons who are alleged to be in charge of oil bunkering activities in Isiokpo community: Mr. Kemkom Azubike, Mr. Mezu Wabali, Mr. Chigozi Amadi, Mr. Opurum Owhondah, Mr. Bakasi Obodo ,Mr. Opus, Mr. Galaxi Mas, Mr. Chioma, Mr. Ogondah, Mr. Soldier, Mr. Chefo, and Nkasi.
“We have also identified those behind illegal bunkering activities in Okrika communities, Port Harcourt Township, Rivers South-East and Rivers South-West Senatorial Districts and their names would be soon published and declared wanted, if they fail to voluntarily report to the police.”
The governor reaffirmed the ban on the use of motorcycles in Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt councils because of the threat they pose to security in the state.
“Any person or corporate entity that requires the use of motorcycle for any lawful purposes must therefore first apply to the office of the Governor for permit and proper documentation of the operational details and particulars of both the motorcycle and designated rider(s).
“Against this background, we are hereby issuing the final warning to all those operation motorcycles shuttles and or hawking foreign exchange along Birabi Street, Hotel Presidential, GRA junction by Zenith Bank up to Tombia Street to immediately leave or be arrested and prosecuted,” he said.
The governor accused community leaders of Rumuola, Rumuogba and Okoro-nu-odo communities of collecting money from vendors and allowing street trading activities around and under the flyovers in these communities.
“Consequently, I hereby direct the traditional leadership of Rumuola, Rumuogba and Okoro-nu-odo communities to immediately stop all street trading activities around, in or under the flyovers in their respective domains or be deposed, arrested and prosecuted.
“Similarly, the traditional leadership of Rumuwoji Mgbuduku, Obiekwe, Nkpolu-Oroworokwo, Abali, Rebisi, Rumukalagbor-Oroworokwo and Ezimgbu communities are hereby directed to enforce the ban and ensure that no form of trading takes place around and under the flyovers located in their communities,” he ordered.
Governor Wike also placed a total ban on the use of umbrella and table trading stands in the entire old and new GRAs of Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt City, Eleme councils.
According to him, government had evidence that most these purported traders in front of houses are informants who monitor and pass on vital details and information on the daily movement of very important persons to their criminal collaborators.
Governor Wike frowned at the failure of the Rumuokurushe community to honour the terms of their undertaking not to allow any form of street trading on the Rumuokurushe market.
“Unfortunately, the Rumuokurushe traditional leadership has apparently failed to comply with or enforce this condition in that market and Government will not hesitate to again shut it down if the ongoing breach continues unabated.”
